Pleco Shedding Her Skin?

[MarsAquatics]

I have a small Pleco that typically is hiding out in the cave I have set up for her, so I don't see her often. But this morning when I was feeding her and her tankmates I noticed she was mostly covered in a thin, whiteish blue film. It almost looks like shes shedding her skin like a snake. I dunno if she sick or if this is just algae growth on her since she isn't the most active member of the tank. Does anyone know what could be wrong with her?

[Brhino]

plecos do not shed their skins. Could you take a picture and post it here? It is almost certainly a sign of a problem, but I'm not sure what exactly.

[MarsAquatics]

I would but I had to leave in a hurry when I posted this, there was an emergency at my un-mothers house. OTL
I'll try and get her to come out of her cave so I can photograph her when I get home tonight.
I did a little more looking around and its possible I just need to do a water and pH change, I'm thinking about separating her because none of the other fish in the tank are displaying this... but then again if shes sick then its possible that they're going to become ill as well.

And two of the livebearers in that tank are pregnant too. DX

[Crispy]

plecos most certainly do shed their slime coats from time to time as they grow. this can easily be confused with 'shedding their skin'. sounds perfectly normal and when my plecs do this, they like to sit in the faster current. just a sign of growth IMO. is he acting normal otherwise?

[Brhino]

I stand corrected, then. Never heard of it before!

[Crispy]

It is odd to see them 'shed' and you wouldn't think it would be healthy for a fish, but my plecs have been doing it for years when they have a growth spurt. much more noticeable with large plecos.

[MarsAquatics]

That sounds pretty neat actually. Shes been swimming around as normal for the most part. I mean, I haven't noticed any real change in her behavior when I watch them. Shes only about three, four inches in length and I recently changed her diet to a higher protein and vegetable content so hitting a growth spurt wouldn't be surprising if you think about it...
I'll still post a picture when I can in case its something other than her shedding her slime coat. Thanks for the information you guys!

[toddnbecka]

That's a new one on me, the only fish I've ever heard about shedding the slime coat is the Lima shovelnose catfish. They'll do that of there's a problem with the water quality, but it's not a normal, healthy occurence.

[Crispy]

That's a new one on me, the only fish I've ever heard about shedding the slime coat is the Lima shovelnose catfish. They'll do that of there's a problem with the water quality, but it's not a normal, healthy occurence.

I'll try to get a pic next time my large pleco 'sheds'. it looks like someone spit on him and within a day or so it's gone. I don't notice it as much on my other plecs.

[MarsAquatics]

I've been keeping a close eye on Consuela and the film is almost gone, I'm sorry I wasn't able to post any pictures, my cameras just love to grow legs and hide themselves from me... I'm thinking about getting my 20 gal set up ahead of time and moving her in there and possibly adding my dwarf gourami pair as tankmates for her until she gets larger or they're ready to spawn again. It'd give her a larger area to swim and grow, I'm also thinking of starting to give her some vegetables as well. Does anyone have a good recommendation on what kinds of vegetables I should give her and which ones I should stay away from?